Le lymphome not hodgkinien is a type of cancer of the lymphatic system, an important component of the immune system. When this disease occurs, it is due to the fact that lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell made in the bone marrow, spleen, thymus and lymph nodes, start to multiply in a disorderly and uncontrolled way. It can affect other organs such as the brain.

Le lymphome not hodgkinien is 5 times more common than Hodgkin lymphoma (or Hodgkin’s disease) and affects about 16 in 100 people. It is more common in men than women, and occurs more often around the age of 000 to 60 years. People with compromised immune systems – those who are HIV positive, for example, who have had a transplant and are taking drugs. pharmaceuticals immunosuppressants – are more at risk. About 10% of people infected with HIV have non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

There are several types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. They are identified by how the cells look under the microscope. Among them, there are 2 main categories: indolent lymphomas and aggressive lymphomas. The former develop more slowly and cause fewer symptoms. The latter have a faster growth.

Causes

The exact causes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma are unknown and most often no contributing factors are found. However, research indicates that some inherited immunodeficiency diseases, such as Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, could increase the risk of developing the disease. Infections (viruses Epstein-Barr virus, HIV, bacteria Helicobacter pylori ou malaria for example) also seem to increase the risk. Finally, environmental factors, such as exposure to pesticides, could be involved. However, further research is needed to confirm these links.

When to consult?

Consult your doctor if you discover one or more painless mass, especially in the region of cou, thegroin to armpits, which does not go away after a few weeks. The sooner the disease is discovered, the better the chances of recovery.